Man Killed By Falling Branch

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Friday’s high winds brought down a rotted tree, killing a west side Detroit man.

Fifty-four year-old Chester Carter was killed in front of his home on Virginia Park, near Henry Ford Hospital when he was hit by a falling branch.

The man’s family had been complaining to the city about the dangerous branch in their yard for weeks, and was devastated by the accident.

Earl Shorter was standing with Carter when the powerful wind gust struck, and said his friend tried to run away from the branch before he was hit.

“He had no chance in altering his course. As he started to run away, the tree … struck him on the back, forced his face and his head down on the concrete of the steps,” Shorted said.

This tragedy follows earlier wind-related disasters in the area.

On Sept. 7, a series of fires swept through several neighborhoods after gusts of up to 50 mph knocked hundreds of power lines onto houses and yards. The blazes burned 71 structures, including 29 occupied homes.

A High Wind Advisory remained effect until 9 p.m. Friday, while thousands of Southeast Michigan homes and residents were without power, due to the weather(More on this).